Obstructive Sleep Apnea Risk associated With Mental Health Conditions: JAMA

Written By : Jacinthlyn Sylvia |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2026-01-02T21:00:34+05:30 | Updated On 2 Jan 2026 9:00 PM IST

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that a high risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was associated with significantly higher odds of a composite of depression and other mental health conditions in middle-aged and older adults. The findings suggest that OSA may contribute to depressive states in older individuals, possibly through its link with cardiovascular health.

OSA is a common condition marked by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, often caused by airway collapse. It is known to disturb sleep quality, oxygen levels, and brain function. This research followed more than 30,000 adults aged 45 to 85 between 2011 and 2018 to understand how sleep-disordered breathing might shape mental well-being as people grow older.

The participants were classified as being at high risk of OSA if they scored at least 2 points on the STOP questionnaire, which screens for snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, witnessed breathing pauses during sleep, and hypertension. Nearly one in 4 participants were considered high risk at the start of the study, rising to more than one in four by the follow-up period.

Mental health was assessed using a composite outcome that captured multiple dimensions like depressive symptoms, psychological distress, physician-diagnosed mental illness, and antidepressant use. About one-third of participants met at least one of these criteria at both baseline and follow-up.

Adults at high risk of OSA were about 40% more likely to have poor mental health at the same point in time, even after accounting for age, sex, lifestyle, and health factors. Also, this elevated risk did not fade with time. In repeated analyses that followed individuals across both measurement periods, high OSA risk remained linked to a 44% increase in the odds of experiencing mental health problems.

Overall, the results of this study suggest that OSA is not only a sleep disorder but also a significant contributor to mental health vulnerability in aging populations. The research emphasized that routine screening for sleep apnea in primary care could play a crucial role in identifying individuals at risk for depression and psychological distress early, allowing for more integrated and effective care.

Source:

Kendzerska, T., Mallick, R., Li, W., Robillard, R., Taler, V., Webber, C., Saymeh, M., Dang-Vu, T. T., Tanuseputro, P., & Fiedorowicz, J. G. (2025). Obstructive sleep apnea risk and mental health conditions among older Canadian adults in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on aging. JAMA Network Open, 8(12), e2549137. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.49137

JAMA Network Openobstructive sleep apneamental health

Source : JAMA Network Open

Jacinthlyn Sylvia

Neuroscience Masters graduate

Jacinthlyn Sylvia, a Neuroscience Master's graduate from Chennai has worked extensively in deciphering the neurobiology of cognition and motor control in aging. She also has spread-out exposure to Neurosurgery from her Bachelor’s. She is currently involved in active Neuro-Oncology research. She is an upcoming neuroscientist with a fiery passion for writing. Her news cover at Medical Dialogues feature recent discoveries and updates from the healthcare and biomedical research fields. She can be reached at editorial@medicaldialogues.in

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751